A year ago, Collins had more rushing yards than Williams even though he started every game. It really doesn’t matter who starts at the position because all of these guys will get close to an equal number of carries this year. This could be the best running back core in the SEC with the emergence of Korliss Marshall as a big-play threat.

FB– Kody Walker, Pat Arinze,

Both of these guys are capble of filling the void that Kiero Small left. Look for one or both of these guys to become names you’ll hear very often in the running game.

TE- Hunter Henry, A.J. Derby, Jeremy Sprinkle

The position added much needed depth with the former quarterback A.J. Derby making the switch to tight end where he will make plenty of plays. Sprinkle may also become more of a blocking threat since he added about 20 pounds this offseason.

WR– Keon Hatcher, Jared Cornelius, JoJo Robinson, Eric Hawkins

WR– Demetrius Wilson, Cody Hollister, Kendrick Edwards

The position has to improve greatly in order for the offense to have any success. Look for the newcommers like Cornelius and Hollister to step onto the scene early and often. Also, freshman JoJo Robinson will get a ton of chances at the slot position with Cornelius because of their big-play ability in space.

OT– Dan Skipper, Austin Beck

OT– Brey Cook, Brian Wallace

Brey Cook has supposedly taken on the role of leader of the offensive line which is promising to hear. Grady Ollison will move to the defensvie line allowing Freshman Brian Wallace to step into the number two spot now.

OG– Luke Charpentier, Cameron Jefferson

OG– Denver Kirkland, Sebastian Tretola

This spot is pretty much wide-open for the guard position opposite of Kirkland. Once Jefferson gets accustomed to the new offense, he should definitely get some playing time.

C– Mitch Smothers, Frank Ragnow

Another open position filling the void that Travis Swanson left. It is reported that Ragnow is slowly closing the gap between him and Smothers after nearly every practice.

DEFENSE

DT– Darius Philon, DeMarcus Hodge

NG- Taiwan Johnson, Bijohn Jackson

While Robb Smith may switch most of these guys in and out, Philon should anchor the spot after his breakout year as a freshman. The noseguard spot is interesting as Johnson and highly recruited freshman Jackson will probably hold down the position by committee.

DE– Trey Flowers, JaMichael Winston

DE– Deatrich Wise Jr., Tevin Beanum

Trey Flowers should have an All-SEC type season while Wise will fill Chris Smith’s spot from a year ago on the opposite side. However, it was just announced that Wise has a sprained knee, but they are hopeful that he will be back for the Auburn week. Beanum has improved greatly in practice and will be ready to go in place of Wise if need be.

MLB– Brooks Ellis, Josh Williams

SLB– Matrell Spaight, Dwayne Eugene

WLB– Braylon Mitchell, Daunte Carr, Randy Ramsey

Otha Peters will transfer to Louisiana-Lafayette so that puts Hackett right behind Ellis at the middle linebacker spot and the other two positions may also see playing time by another freshman in Dwayne Eugene or Randy Ramsey.

CB– Tevin Mitchell, Jared Collins, Henre’ Toliver

CB– Carroll Washington, D.J. Dean, Will Hines

SS– Alan Turner, Tiquention Coleman

FS– Rohan Gaines, De’Andre Coley

Carroll Washington has had an incredible offseason and is said to be the best cornerback that the Hogs have now. Him and Dean are pushing Hines who supposedly hasn’t responded very well in camp. Nothing should change in the safety spot although it should be noted that Coleman will be playing a lot at the nickel spot and should be a difference-maker there.

Comment below with your questions or opinions for the Arkansas football team.

About Kurt Stinnett

Sophomore at the University of Arkansas covering Razorback football. You can follow me on twitter @KAStinnett or reach me at [email protected]

redleg71

Josh Williams is the back-up to Ellis at MLB.
Braylon Mitchell and Daunte Carr are in a fierce battle for the starting strong-side LB spot, with Randy Ramsey a solid back-up. Ramsey looks like the imminent starter next year after seniors Mitchell and Carr graduate.
Hodge has been moved to DT and is now Philon’s back-up.
Taiwan Johnson is currently the starter at NG, backed up by Bijhon Jackson.
Tevin Beanum will get lots of playing time at DE.
Mitch Smothers is the current start at center, Ragnow is the back up.
Kirkland is the starter at right guard backed up by Tretola
Charpentier and Jefferson are at left guard, in that order.
Brey Cook is backed up by Wallace at RT.
Skipper is the starter at LT, Austin Beck is the back up.
Henry, Derby, and Sprinkle are at TE in that order.
The WR depth probably looks something like this:
1. Hatcher, Morgan, Robinson, Hawkins
2. Wilson, Cornelius, Hollister, Edwards
Walker and Arinze are the fullbacks, with neither grabbing the starting nod yet.
Rb is J-Will, Buddha, and Korliss, but we will probably see Walker get some short yardage carries.
BAllen, AAllen, and Peavey at QB.
Look for Marshall at kickoff return, DJ Dean or Jojo Robinson at punt return, Sam Hill as the punter, and Hedlund at kicker.